Netflix Expands AMC Streaming Deal

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 10/7/2011

Beverly Hills, Calif. - Netflix and AMC Networks said Friday they have reached a multi-year licensing agreement that will bring prior seasons of AMC's original series, The Walking Dead, exclusively to Netflix members in the U.S. and Canada.

Season 1 of The Walking Dead is available through Netflix starting today. Additional seasons as well as certain future AMC and Sundance Channel programming, will begin streaming to Netflix members prior to the premiere of subsequent seasons, Netflix said.

Netflix has also licensed non-exclusive rights in the U.S. to select scripted and unscripted shows that will begin streaming just before the debut of each show's newest season.

This includes programming from across the AMC Networks portfolio of AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, and WE tv. Specific series include IFC's Portlandia and The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret; WE tv's Braxton Family Values, My Fair Wedding, and Bridezillas; and Sundance Channel's All On The Line with Joe Zee and Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys.

"Netflix is already the streaming home of 'Mad Men' and 'Breaking Bad' in the U.S. and Latin America," said Ted Sarandos, Netflix chief content officer. "We are delighted to be in business directly with AMC Networks. AMC's programming sensibilities have struck a chord with our members and with the overall viewing public."

AMC Networks president and CEO Josh Sapan explained that the agreements "support the cable ecosystem by making our content available to Netflix nearly a year following the linear premiere, it brings our content to a wider audience, and it provides additional revenue to support production of new shows."